Separatist Insurgencies in India - News and Discussions.

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NLFT-BM demands INR one million ransoms for eight abductees:

Tripurainfo reports that Biswamohan faction of National Democratic Front of Tripura (NLFT-BM) on July 20 sent a ransom notice of INR 1 million to East Chawmanu village council Chief (Dhalai District) Shanti Ranjan Chakma for the release of eight tribal villagers, including two Communist Party if India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders Arun Chakma (35) and Ganja Chakma (45), abducted by the group on July 19.

 

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Two civilians killed by Maoists in Chhattisgarh:

Outlook reports that in two separate incidents, the cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) killed two persons including a Special Police Officer (SPO) in Bastar region on July 22. Armed Maoist cadres reached Ganjinar village under Bhansi Police Station and killed Laxman Markam brother of Munna Markam of Nakulnar Janpad Panchayat (village level local self-Government institution), Dantewada Superintendent of Police Ankit Garg said.

Meanwhile, that the Maoists killed Subba Satyam, a SPO in Madded village in Bijapur District. Subba had gone out to buy things from the market, where a group of five Maoists reached and attacked him with an axe. They ran away after the killing, Additional Police Superintendent BPS Rajbhanu said.

Separately, the Chhattisgarh Government lowered the educational qualifications for Adivasi youth to recruit them in the regular Police Force and Armed Force, reports Times of India. The State cabinet passed the order that education up to Class V will make applicants eligible for constabulary the earlier requirement was clearing Class X. The announcement comes weeks after the Supreme Court order led to the disarming of Special Police Officers (SPOs) — nearly 5,000 tribal men hired on a temporary basis on less than one-third the salary of a constable and deployed in anti-Maoist operations. The court said they were being used as "canon fodder in the killing fields of Dantewada". Chief Minister Raman Singh said, "Eighty percent of the SPOs will become constables. For the remaining 20% we would try and get them to clear through open school."

 

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Two injured in mine explosions in Jammu and Kashmir:

Two civilians including a minor girl were critically injured on July 22, in two separate mine explosions near the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District, reports Daily Excelsior. The first explosion took place at around 12.30 pm near village Jandrola in Mandi tehsil (revenue unit) in which Shahida Parveen (13) was injured. The second explosion took place at around 3.45 pm at Shahpur village near LoC, where one Mohammad Hussain, was injured.

Meanwhile, Security Forces (SFs) arrested a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) militant, identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Ganaie, from Barsoo of Awantipora in Pulwama District. One AK 47 rifle, two AK magazines and 50 AK rounds were recovered from his possession.

Further, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Sopore granted bail to a girl, Quratul Ain, alleged to be working for Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant outfit. Earlier Qurat was arrested on July 12, after the IED attack on Sopore Police Station in Baramulla District on July 6. Shops and business establishments in Sopore remained closed against the arrest of Quratul Ain.

Separately, SFs charged batons, used tear smoke and fired warning shots in air to crush protests that broke out in Kulgam District against the alleged abduction and gang rape of a woman, Rukaya Bano by Army. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah promised action against the guilty, saying the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will not be allowed to hamper investigations. In retaliation, the protesters pelted stones on the SFs triggering pitched battle.

Meanwhile, the Army ordered internal probe into the incident. General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15th Corps Lieutenant General S.A. Hasnain said that Army had already commenced its own fast track preliminary investigation. "The Army is fully and completely cooperating with the police and with all other Government agencies in carrying out the investigations," he stated.

According to Greater Kashmir, a three-member Kashmir Committee, headed by Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani, arrived in Jammu to hold talks with leaders of political groups, social activists and intellectuals in the region to find its own solution to the Kashmir issue. Its other members are V.K. Grover, a former diplomat, and rights activist Madhu Kishwar. The panel is working to find its own solution to the crisis in Jammu and Kashmir, almost in a parallel exercise to that being conducted by three government-appointed interlocutors.

Kashmir Times reports that an official spokesman of Rural Development has stated that names of elected Sarpanches (president/ chief of the village level local self-government institution) and Panches (members of the village level local self-government institution) has been already notified under SRO 211 on July 14. The information is available on departmental website, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Department of Rural Development, he maintained.

 

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Maoists blown up house in Bihar:

Hindustan Times reports that Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres blew up the house of a former sarpanch (head of village level local self-Government institution) of Yadunathpur village and set ablaze his brother's house in Rohtas District in the night of July 21. Around 12 Maoist cadres raided the village and triggered a dynamite blast blowing up the house of Gangeshwar Singh and later set ablaze the house of Maheshwar Singh.

 

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Explosives recovered in Jharkhand:

IBN Live reports that acting on a tip off those Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres were camped at a forest and designing plans for an attack, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Jharkhand Police launched a combing operation in Tamar and Bundu areas, about 70 kilometres from State capital Ranchi on July 22. Three clamour mines, each weighing 20 kilogrammes, and two landmines weighing 15 kilogrammes each, a country-made gun, 67 double boosters, two wireless sets and 24 bullets, and a total of 308 gelatine sticks were recovered during the anti-Maoist operation, Superintendent of Police (Ranchi Rural), S Michael Raj said.

Meanwhile, the Police have registered a case against Gulach Munda, a Maoist squad leader of Ghorabandha for raping a 30-year-old physically challenged woman nine months ago in East Singhbhum District. The case was registered two days ago against Munda after the victim lodged a complaint with the Police, Police Superintendent (Rural) Ranjit Prasad said.

Separately, the Jharkhand Police are planning to change strategy to arrest Maoist leader Kundan Pahan, the alleged killer of Ramesh Singh Munda, a Janata Dal United MLA and two Police officers, including Special Branch Inspector Francis Indwar, in 2009. "There is a lot of work to be done. The areas where Kundan Pahan operates are populated ones, and the police have to take the utmost care in protecting the civilians during their operation against Pahan," the Director General of Police, G S Rath, said.

 

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Four Maoists surrender in Uttar Pradesh:

Times of India reports that four Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres surrendered before the Superintendent of Police Deepak Kumar in Sonebhadra District on July 22. The four surrendered Maoist cadres are identified as Guddu Singh alias Vinay, a former Maoist ‘zonal commander’ of northern Gadhwa (Bihar), Surendra alias Guddu Rai alias Ajayji, ‘zonal commander’ of Rohtas region (Bihar), Ram Dular alias Naval Kharwar, ‘area commander’ of striking squad, Rohtas (Bihar), and Sunil Ravidas, an active member of the striking squad. The Maoists surrendered with three self-loading rifles (SLR), a hand grenade, four magazines and 200 live cartridges. One of these SLRs was looted from the cops after blowing a PAC truck at Hinaut Ghat in Naugarh area of Chandauli District in 2004, in which 17 PAC personnel were killed, the SP said.

All the four Maoists were wanted by the Police of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand for the past 10 years. Guddu Singh was involved in 15 cases of murder, kidnapping and carried a cash reward of INR 12,000. Fourteen cases of similar nature are lodged against Surendra of Palamu District in Jharkhand, Ram Dular, a native of Rohtas was involved in eight Maoist cases and Sunil, a native of Chandauli was involved in one such cases.

 

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Maoists kill two civilians in Jharkhand:

Telegraph reports that the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) cadres killed Anil Oraon (24), a resident of Lai village in Garu, and Arun Yadav (35) of Kone village under Sadar Police Station, branding them as Police informers in a kangaroo court held at Sarju forests in Latehar District on July 21. Again, the Maoist kangaroo court was held on July 23, and three persons identified as Ashok Oraon (20) of Patratu village in Garu, Rajendra Oraon (22) of Lai and Bhola Oraon (20) of Gotang village in Garu, were told not to leave their respective villages for two years. Pappu Lohra (30), a resident of Kone village, however managed to escape from the clutches of the Maoists. “The six were abducted on July 20 from their villages at gunpoint. While the killings took place after a kangaroo court on July 21 night, three were banned from leaving their villages two days later,” a source said. Deenbandhu, North Koel Sankh zone spokesperson of the Maoists, was quoted as saying, “Those punished were branded as paid police informers who helped in ‘Operation Parakram’ against Maoists from July 2 to July 7, in which a training camp and a gun factory were destroyed”.

Meanwhile, intelligence reports claim that nine of members of the firing squad of Jharkhand's 'most wanted' Maoist Kundan Pahan have deserted him, reports Outlook. Tulsidas alias Vishal, the main cadre of Pahan's squad, went away along with eight other associates and said to be hiding somewhere under Tamar Police Station, the reports said.

Further, the Director General of Police, G S Rath claimed on July 24 that the response to ‘Operation Nai Disha’ to lure back left-wing extremists into the mainstream has been very successful and many more extremists are in the pipeline to surrender, reports IBN Live. ‘Operation Nai Disha’ was launched last year. Rath said the response is encouraging and morale boosting. For the first time, 32 extremists turned in with regular weapons.

 

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Maoists kill civilian in Odisha:

The Hindu reports that the cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) killed a tribal youth in Narayanpatna block of Koraput District in the night of July 23 suspecting him to be a Police informer. The victim was identified as Suka Nachika (25) of Upar Renga village. His hands and legs were tied up and his throat was slit with some sharp weapon. Maoists left handwritten letter near the body.

Meanwhile, the Police arrested four alleged Maoists, including two women, near Paikmal at Amarpali on State Highway-3 in Bargarh District on July 24, reports Times of India. Another Maoist in the group, however, managed to escape, the Police added. Three of the arrestees belonged to Kanker District in Chhattisgarh and were identified as Anil Kumar alias Azad (25) of Kasadand village, Rambati Usendi (20) of Alpara village and Shambati Dubba of Bhimnar. The fourth, Makunda Naik (27), was a resident of Rajapada village under Padampur Police Station area in Bargarh. The Police said one country-made pistol and six bullets, letters addressed to commander, meeting proceedings, two Tiffin bombs, two detonators, route maps of Burla town, cash of INR 1,350, some eatables, some leaflets in Hindi and Oriya languages, books written in Oriya relating to activities of Maoists were recovered from them.

 

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Bomb explodes in ADC office in Ukhrul District of Manipur:

Sentinel reports that unidentified miscreants exploded a bomb in the office of the Autonomous District Council (ADC) in Manipur's interior Ukhrul District bordering with Myanmar on July 23 but no casualty was reported. No individual or group has claimed responsibility for the incident. Elections to ADC in six hill Districts of Manipur were held late last year after a gap of about 20 years. Some hill-based organisations had opposed the election demanding extension of sixth schedule of the constitution in all the six hill Districts in the state.

Meanwhile, Security Forces (SFs) arrested four militants of Lanheiba faction of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) in Imphal West District of Manipur on July 24, states Assam Tribune. The four militants were identified as Oinam Anil (27), Chanam Thaniljao (50), Chanam Anandi (40) and Konthoujam Kesho (58).

Further, SFs arrested a former Zou Defence Volunteer (ZDV) member, Pausuanthang, with two pistols from Churachandpur District on July 23, reports Sentinel. In another incident, SFs arrested an overground worker of United National Liberation Front (UNLF) from Sagolmang in Imphal East District.

 

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Suspected NSCN-IM militants kill a couple in Manipur:

Sangai Express reports that a young couple identified as Vareingam Mahonao Shimray (36) and his wife Ngaherla Shimray (33) was killed by some unidentified suspected National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) militants on July 24 at Lungpha village in Ukhrul District.

The armed assailants also opened fire at the house of Ngaherla Shimray’s younger sister LC Rose (26) which is located just 50 metres away from the victims’ house. But no one was injured in the firing. Police recovered seven spent bullets of AK rifle and three cartridges of .9 mm pistol.

Meanwhile, three militants of different outfits have been arrested during various search operations in Manipur. A militant of People's Liberation Army (PLA) identified as Thiyam Shyam Singh (47) was arrested by Security forces (SFs) from Waithou area in Thoubal District on July 24, states Sentinel. Also, two militants of Noyon faction of Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-Noyon) identified as Moirangthem Boboi (28) and Konsam Jilasana (30) were also arrested at Sita area in Chandel District

Further, SFs arrested one United National Liberation Front (UNLF) and one NSCN-IM cadre on July 25, reports Kanglaonline. While the UNLF cadre, identified as Thongam Ngogo alias Bobu (27) was arrested from Khurai Lai Khulembi along Imphal-Ukhrul road in Imphal East District, the NSCN-IM cadre, identified as Shekii Paomei alias Johny (35) was arrested from Khurai Ningthoubung. The arrested NSCN-IM cadre is in the rank of ‘Major’ and is involved in extortion from the transport vehicles plying on the National Highway (NH)-39.

Separately, in a delayed report, three labourers identified as A Hemanta Singh (33), S Ningthemjao Singh (60) and L Sarat Singh (28) from Thoubal District were abducted by unidentified suspected armed militants on July 2, sates Kanglaonline. They still remain untraceable.

 

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Maoists kill village head in Chhattisgarh:

Indian Express reports that the cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) killed Uslu Jurri, village head of Cheeka village in Bijapur District on July 24. Reportedly, Jurri was killed when he went to deliver some commodities to the Maoists.

 

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Collaboration between Maoists and northeast militants' is active and growing, claims intelligence official:

There is increasing evidence of very active and growing collaboration between the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) and militant groups of northeast India, an intelligence agency official told Hindustan Times. "Since 2009, insurgents from India's northeast have been visiting Jharkhand and imparting training to Maoist cadres who are very keen on acquiring training on IEDs and battle tactics like how to conduct an ambush. The number of such exchanges is growing," the source said alluding to the involvement of Manipuri and Naga groups. "At the same time, Maoists from central India have also been spreading their influence among the tea-garden communities of Assam. Many youth from the tea gardens have been recruited. The July 10 bomb blast in a train in Assam is also a handiwork of the Adivasi People's Army (APA) which has very strong linkages with Maoists," the source added. The Eastern Region Bureau of the Maoists has been tasked to forge alliances and set up a network in the Northeast. The Maoists are also known to be very keen to set a strong base in the Taga area of Myanmar. In fact, recent reports indicate the presence of a small group of Maoists in Taga. This restive area, in northwest Myanmar, is often referred to as "United Area" because of the strong presence of almost all the insurgent groups of India's northeast.

 

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Maoists set for urban outreach, says report:

The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) is planning to spread their tentacles in urban areas after consolidating their position in rural pockets, reports Telegraph. At a high-level meeting of senior Maoist leaders held recently, a plan has been chalked out to re-organise the organisational set-up of the CPI-Maoist. There would be separate set-up that would look after the affairs of rural as well as the urban areas respectively. A source in the Maoist group said the new plan for urban areas would be effective from Independence Day, which the Maoists observe as “black day”.

 

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Maoists kill two persons in Odisha:

Cadres of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) killed two persons in Niyamgiri hill area of the State, whose bodies were recovered on July 27, reports The Hindu. One killing occurred in Muniguda Police Station area of Rayagada District, while the other person was killed in Lanjigarh area of adjoining Kalahandi District. According to sources, Maoists termed both of them agents of Police and Vedanta Alumina Limited (VAL). It was suspected that Maoists resorted to these murders to garner support of members of anti-Vedanta movement continuing in Niyamgiri area. The victim in Rayagada district was Dadhi Sikaka, a youth from Ambadhuni village. Maoists abducted him and his brother Lakshman Sikaka. Lakshman was ruthlessly beaten up and released. Body of the other victim Ajit Patnaik was found in a pool of blood near Ijirupa jungle on the Niyamgiri foothill in Kalahandi District.

Meanwhile, about 25 kilograms of explosives planted by Maoists was recovered at Laxmipur in Koraput District by Security Force (SF) personnel, reports IBN Live. The recovery was made ahead of the 'martyrs' week' planned by the Maoists from July 28 (today).The explosives, weighing about 25 kg, was placed in a steel container in a bush apparently targeting SFs. The spot where the explosive filled container was found is close to the local court and a BSF camp.

According to Times of India, the Maoist leadership has sent some key leaders to Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) from Chhattisgarh to strengthen the party and lift the morale of the cadres in AOB. Highly-placed sources told Times of India that Gajarla Ashok alias Ranganna alias Janardhan alias Aitu was assigned with the crucial responsibility of revival of the party in AOB by the central leadership. In-charge of South Bastar division in Dandakaranya special zonal committee (DKSZC), Aitu is a master strategist in military warfare.

Separately, the State Government has sought the cooperation of the Centre to enhance the manpower in Odisha's General Railway Police (GRP) wing. Director General of Police (DGP) Manmohan Praharaj placed the proposal before his Railway Protection Force (RPF) counterpart PK Mehta when the latter met him in Cuttack on July 26.

 

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ULFA-ATF blasts Grenade in Assam:

Suspected Anti-Talks Faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA-ATF) militants exploded a grenade on July 27 (ULFA Martyrs’ Day) near DDR College at Chabua in Dibrugarh District, reports Shillong Times. Police said four shops were partially damaged while no one was injured in the attack.

Further, in another incident, a powerful bomb was defused by the Police at a bus station in Dhubri Town.

Meanwhile, Pro-Talks faction of ULFA (ULFA-PTF) observed ‘Martyrs’ Day’ at their designated camp at Kakopathar in Tinsukia District, reports Sentinel.

Also, Shillong Times reports that ULFA-PTF ‘finance secretary’ Chitrabon Hazarika on July 27 said, “The charter of demands is almost ready and it will be finalized within a couple of days.” He further said, “We will submit the charter of demands to the Centre soon.”

Separately, Security Forces (SFs) on July 26 arrested a militant of Anti-Talks Faction of National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB-ATF), identified as Genda Basumatary alias B. Sudev, from Ratanpur area under Tangla Police Station in Udalguri District, reports Telegraph. A .9mm pistol with 15 rounds of live ammunition, an NDFB writing pad and a mobile handset was recovered from him.

Further, SFs on July 27 recovered two 7.62mm SLR rifles with 14 rounds of live ammunition and two magazines from thick undergrowth along the banks of the Dhansiri in Majuli in Udalguri District, at the State’s tri-junction with Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan.

Meanwhile, SFs Arrested one ULFA militant, Lachit Khanikar, and a linkmen in Tinsukia District. One Pistol and two Chinese grenades were seized from them.

Separately, arrested ‘Publicity Secretary’ ULFA-ATF Rittik Hazarika alias `Lieutenant’ Arun Udoy Dehotia informed interrogators that Paresh Baruah was holed up in Myanmar's Kachin State and he was part of a ULFA mobile camp in Nagaland's Mon District which has around 6 to 7 cadres under senior Nayan Medhi, reports IBN Live. Hazarika had arrived in Sonitpur for a recruitment drive and to understand the people's reaction to the news of ceasefire by ULFA-PTF and the proposed peace talks between Central Government and ULFA-PTF.

Separately, a 30-member peace committee comprising the tea community, Karbi villagers and officials of Golaghat and Karbi Anglong administrations has been constituted and security beefed up to defuse ethnic tension and thwart Karbi People’s Liberation Tiger(KPLT) militant attacks along the Golaghat-Karbi Anglong boundary in Assam, reports Telegraph.